Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia: An Approach to Diagnosis and Management

Abstract

Glossopharyngeal neuralgia is an uncommon facial syndrome with significant deleterious effect on the quality of life. The glossopharyngeal nerve is predominantly a sensory nerve with a limited number of motor and autonomic fibers. The central causes of glossopharyngeal neuralgia are commonly treated with neurosurgical interventions. Medical therapy and nerve blocks are predominantly used to treat peripheral causes of glossopharyngeal neuralgia. In this review article, we present clinical vignettes and describe practical aspects of intra-oral, extra-oral, and peripheral techniques to block the glossopharyngeal nerve. The glossopharyngeal nerve blocks should be performed in a monitored setting due to the potential for adverse complications.